Parade ushers in the Christmas season

Santa Claus talks with those who gathered at the Christmas Parade Friday night.

Santa Claus talks with those who gathered at the Christmas Parade Friday night.

Photo: Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree | Journal-Courier

Photo: Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree | Journal-Courier

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Santa Claus talks with those who gathered at the Christmas Parade Friday night.

Santa Claus talks with those who gathered at the Christmas Parade Friday night.

Photo: Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree | Journal-Courier

Parade ushers in the Christmas season

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The Christmas season arrived Friday night after those lining the streets of the Downtown Square stood in the wind and rain to welcome the Christmas man of honor — and the figure of awe for children — Santa Claus during the Christmas Parade.

Despite the rain and winds, at least 50 children and their parents or grandparents waited outside of Santa Claus’ hut on the square awaiting his arrival to tell him how good — or bad — they were this year and what they wanted him to leave under their tree next month.

And while talking with the kids — and telling jokes about how Rudolph’s hooves stink — Santa said he wanted to make sure all the little girls and boys in Jacksonville knew that he would be checking to see if they are on the nice list.

This year, Santa rode in inside the Jacksonville Fire Department ladder truck, where he told children about honking the horn with his foot and making the buzzing sound along the parade route.

Despite the weather, the parade still had a crowd of people trying to get a glimpse of the man in the red suit.

“Not even the weather can slow down the holiday spirit,” said Sarah Hautala, the general manager of WJIL/ WJVO. “Nothing compares to the jolliest elf of all.”

The parade — sponsored by WJIL/ WJVO and Heart of Jacksonville — is the kickoff of the Christmas season in Jacksonville, said Hautala.

“It’s the big welcome of Santa Claus every year,” Hautala said. “Several business decorate and it lets us ring in the holiday season.”

And Santa said he loves the parade every year.

“I love how enthusiastic everyone is and how they always come out to see me,” he said. “They even came out in the rain and cold and everyone is so nice and fun.”

For 7-year-old Emma Morrell, daughter of Tonia and Jim Morrell, of Petersburg, meeting Santa was the highlight of the night.

After hearing a joke about Rudolph, Emma asked Santa for an American Girl doll, which she said she hopes to get because she’s been good this year.

“I like his laugh a lot too,” she said.

For 5-year-old Faith Trotter, daughter of Naomi Trotter, of Jacksonville, meeting Santa Claus is both scary and exciting.

“I’m worried he is going to be scary,” Faith said.

Along with asking for a Baby Alive doll, she is also going to ask that Santa brings her brother rocks instead of the Xbox he wants.

Santa will be in his house on the square throughout the next month to meet with the children of Jacksonville.

“I hope a lot of kids come to see me and I hope they’ve been good this year,” he said. “I just love when the boys and girls are happy and laughing.”

A list of Santa’s House hours is available at the WJIL/ WJVO website.

Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha.